49ers Weather the Browns and the Wind, but Lose Key Pieces in the Process
The 49ers walked away from their Week 13 clash against the Browns with a win, but it came at a cost. Two important contributors-fullback Kyle Juszczyk and offensive lineman Ben Bartch-suffered injuries that could reshape San Francisco’s depth chart moving forward.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Bartch sustained what’s believed to be a Lisfranc injury in his foot, a serious setback that will require surgery. The expectation is that Bartch will be placed on injured reserve, a blow to a 49ers offensive line that’s already had to shuffle pieces throughout the season.
Juszczyk, one of the most versatile fullbacks in the league, also left the game with an injury, though specifics on his condition weren’t detailed. His absence would be felt across multiple phases of the offense-blocking, receiving out of the backfield, and even as a decoy in motion-heavy sets.
While the injuries cast a shadow, there were plenty of bright spots for the 49ers in their gritty win over Cleveland. Defensively, rookie linebacker Dee Winters turned in an impressive showing in coverage, allowing just three catches for eight yards and earning the team’s highest coverage grade at 76.2, according to Pro Football Focus.
Not far behind was cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, who gave up only one reception for seven yards and posted a 76.0 grade. Both players helped lock down a Browns offense that never found its rhythm through the air.
The game also featured some strategic nuance from Shanahan, who made an uncharacteristic decision that spoke volumes about how seriously the 49ers took the weather conditions. San Francisco typically defers when winning the coin toss, aiming to double-dip with possessions before and after halftime. But on Sunday, Shanahan flipped the script, choosing to receive the opening kickoff.
Why? The wind.
With sustained winds around 20 mph and gusts topping 35, Shanahan prioritized having the wind at his team’s back in the fourth quarter. That meant giving up the usual strategic edge of back-to-back possessions in favor of field position and kicking advantage late in the game.
“I wanted a chance to choose to have the wind at our back in the fourth quarter,” Shanahan said. “That was the only way to get that done.”
It’s a small but telling move that speaks to Shanahan’s attention to detail-and his trust in his defense to hold the line early.
As for the offense, one player who continues to draw praise is wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Shanahan lauded Jennings for his relentless effort and physical style, noting that he plays “to the whistle as well as any player in this league.”
That kind of edge can rattle opponents, and it has before-Shanahan referenced a game in Arizona last season when Jennings’ intensity led to opposing corners throwing punches. Jennings was ejected in the aftermath, despite not retaliating.
“He gets other guys to break [the rules] a lot on him,” Shanahan said. It’s a testament to Jennings’ ability to toe the line-playing with fire, but not getting burned.
The 49ers may be battered, but they’re still finding ways to win-and doing it with a mix of gritty defense, smart coaching, and players who refuse to back down. With the postseason looming, that formula could prove valuable. But keeping key pieces healthy down the stretch will be just as crucial.